The Kingmaker System-Chapter 436 - 435. Master And Monster (2)

The servants had to sit through four whole hours from afternoon to evening while Davian and I sparred. It wasn’t that he was particularly strong, but I wasn’t letting him lose either. Whenever it seemed like he was about to falter, I’d shift my footing and leave an opening—just enough to keep him going.

Still, he was too stubborn to admit defeat. I was a little sweaty, sure, but not even remotely tired. Davian, on the other hand, was beginning to grow breathless, his shoulders heaving more with each passing exchange.

I would’ve kept going, if not for Sylvia’s presence brushing against my senses as she entered the training grounds. I had completely forgotten that Kai had to leave for Eldarf to attend the celebration.

"Is he that strong of an opponent?" she asked from behind.

"Nah, Master’s just playing around," someone replied—likely one of the servants.

Out of the corner of my eye, I spotted Sylvia approaching. Kai, however, was too engrossed in our match to notice her.

Davian took that exact moment to lunge, spotting the opening I had just given him. The sunlight hit the edge of his blade, making the silver glint sharply—an instinctual trigger. My blood stirred in response. In a flash, I twisted my body and swung my arm. My sword struck his wrist with just enough force to send his weapon flying from his hand.

Davian grunted in pain. Without pausing, I pivoted and drove my foot into his abdomen. The impact lifted him off the ground, sending him tumbling backward. The spectators scattered just in time, chairs scraping as they scrambled out of the way. Davian twisted mid-air, just barely managing to avoid a dangerous landing.

He hit the ground hard, coughing out blood as he clutched his abdomen.

"He’s down," I announced coolly.

Enora nodded and stepped forward.

"Master is the winner!" she declared.

Cheers erupted from those who had been eagerly awaiting the match’s conclusion. Some began collecting their winnings with satisfied grins, while Kai hurried over to help Davian sit up.

"Apart from Young Master Kai and Sir Asher, everyone else is rich," Roan remarked as he approached me.

I chuckled and handed him the wooden sword. He brushed a thumb over the blade, now riddled with cracks. With a bit of pressure, the sword crumbled into splinters, collapsing in his hand.

"The poor sword endured so much," Roan sighed, watching the last of the splinters fall from his palm.

I walked over to Davian, who was sitting on the grass with a hand on his abdomen, grinning faintly at something Kai had just said.

"But you still lost your money. I’m sorry," Davian said with a tired smile.

Kai returned the smile with a light shake of his head. "It’s fine."

"Besides, shouldn’t you have put your money on Master like the others?" Davian asked, raising an eyebrow.

Kai simply shrugged. "I don’t bet based on who’s going to win."

Davian let out a short laugh and ruffled Kai’s hair, right as I reached them. I slung an arm over Kai’s shoulder and pulled him gently toward me.

"Now you see how kind he is," I said, looking at Davian. "So refrain from teaching him anything bad."

Davian smirked through the cut on his lip. "Says the Master who’s the Lord of the Underworld cities."

I gave him a pointed look. "Was the beating not enough, Your Highness?"

He coughed, still cradling his bruised abdomen. "Apparently not."

Kai glanced up at me, eyes wide with sudden realization. I ruffled his hair. "Go get ready. Sylvia’s here to escort you to Eldarf."

He gasped, as if just remembering the event, then quickly turned to rush off. But he paused a few steps away and looked back at me.

"Can I take Davian with me too?" he asked.

I smiled, casting a glance at Davian—who didn’t exactly look like he was in the mood, or condition, to celebrate. Still, I nodded.

"Sure."

Kai beamed and turned to Davian. "Davian, let’s get ready!"

Davian chuckled and gave a small nod. "All right, go ahead. I’ll meet you at the entrance in a bit."

Kai grinned from ear to ear, then took off running toward the mansion with Enora and Remi hurrying after him.

Davian winced as he stood, then let out a breath and approached me.

"He’s very kind, Master," he said quietly. "And that’s exactly why he should know the ways of the dark. His kindness can be exploited far too easily."

"You don’t know much about him, Your Highness," I replied, my gaze steady. "Kai’s kindness isn’t something freely given—it’s earned. And he’s never alone. If he were ever in danger, there would be a whole battalion ready to lay down their lives for him without hesitation."

Davian looked at me, studying my expression. "You... you really love him. As much as your own son," he murmured.

I sighed, brushing the thought away. "Don’t state the obvious. Go and get ready," I said, placing a hand on his shoulder.

A soft glow pulsed beneath my palm as I cast the healing spell. He stayed still, the warmth settling over his bruised form. Then he straightened, the pain easing from his stance.

Without another word, I turned and walked away.

After Kai, Asher, and Davian had left for Eldarf, I returned to my office where the Captain of the Ryujin family knights, Alex Wales, awaited me, flanked by my worried young aides.

The armed forces under my command were divided into three main branches. First were the family knights—numbering eight thousand—who served as my official military force. Second was the Shadow Army, a vast network of assassins and covert operatives, scattered across the regions under my control. They lived among the people, concealed as common citizens, and were always the first dispatched when trouble arose. Their strength lay not just in numbers—over two hundred thousand—but in their reach and anonymity.

And lastly, the newest addition: the Eldarf team. A collaborative unit formed recently, consisting of Elves, Dwarves, and Dark Elves working together under one banner.

Alex came from a noble house that had been teetering on the brink of financial ruin. But under my banner, he’d salvaged both his family and his title of Count. An idealist and a capable warrior, he’d earned his place in my Knight Order—and later, his promotion to Captain during the war with Denril.

He stood tall in his silver armor, a navy-blue cloak draped over his shoulders. The insignia of the Ryujin family gleamed on his breastplate and cloak. His sandy brown hair was cropped short, and sharp blue eyes watched me intently as I entered.

"Master!" Alex bowed low.

"What’s the matter, Sir Wales?" I asked, though I already had a good idea. "You look anxious."

He pressed his lips together, visibly tense. Even my aides fidgeted on the sidelines.

"Master," he said grimly, "Marquis Owen Glines has escaped."

"Escaped?" I repeated, moving around my desk and settling into my chair.

Alex dropped to one knee. "Please forgive our incompetence."

"Did you see him escaping?"

"No, Master... But the Marchioness and their children claimed he vanished suddenly."

I steepled my fingers before my mouth, thinking. "What of his family?"

"They’re under house arrest. I’ve stationed men around the estate to prevent any attempts to flee—or to capture the Marquis should he return."

"Good work," I said with a nod. Still, I could see the unsettled look in his eyes. freeweɓnovēl.coɱ

"He won’t stay away for long," I assured him. "Even if he tries to flee the kingdom, he won’t get far. His family is still here—he won’t abandon everything he’s stolen just to run. He’ll return."

Alex raised his head, meeting my gaze with those clear, determined eyes. "Yes, Master. I understand."

After working under me for this long, he knew well enough that I wasn’t particularly fond of knights. Not because of any personal grudge—just that I trusted my assassins far more. Assassins didn’t hesitate. They didn’t stumble over morality or protocol. They got the job done.

Alex knew that too. That was why he’d secretly been learning the ways of the assassins himself.

The truth was, the knights of my household rarely saw action unless war or legality was involved—both things I preferred to avoid.

"You may go now," I told him. "Tell the knights to remain on standby in case our enemies make a move."

"Yes, Master!"

He saluted and left, his cloak trailing behind him.

I sighed and slumped back in my chair.

"Why do you look so exhausted, Master? Did the spar with Prince Davian wear you out?" Roan asked, lounging in his chair like he had not a care in the world.

Well, apart from myself, Davian, and Lyall, no one knew that I had Marquis Owen Glines hidden away in the eastern wing.

"No. I just feel a little guilty sometimes when I see Alex."

"Why’s that?" Roan tilted his head.

"He works so hard... and yet he’s stuck in a position where his talents are constantly overshadowed."

"But that’s only because the knights don’t get much to do, Master!" Esme piped up.

"Yeah," Blake added, "most of the tasks that come up need the assassins instead."

I leaned back in my chair, eyes narrowing as my thoughts drifted ahead.

"Well," I said, "considering what’s coming, the knights will have more than enough work soon."

Roan turned toward me, his eyes sharp with curiosity. I met his gaze and uttered just two words:

"The Trials."

This chapter is updat𝓮d by fre(e)webnov(l).com